dreamcast on component, will it be worth it?

[djbeatmongrel]

Welp I am addicted to pushing the visuals of my systems without messing with their internals. Once I get my chords in the mail the last possible step for me is to get a dreamcast vga cord + vga to component cord.

For those familiar with it, will it be worth the investment and whats the best place to get the dreamcast vga cable?

[Anthony1]

Welp I am addicted to pushing the visuals of my systems without messing with their internals. Once I get my chords in the mail the last possible step for me is to get a dreamcast vga cord + vga to component cord.

For those familiar with it, will it be worth the investment and whats the best place to get the dreamcast vga cable?


I think if you are a big time Dreamcast fan, then most likely it would be worth it. I have a DC vga box, and I also have the audio authority box, so I have the exact combo. Just today I was playing some 18 Wheel Trucker on it in 480p via that combo. The graphics do look much better and much clearer. They key factor is getting both the vga box and the Audio Authority box for cheap enough to make it worth it. If you are going to use the Audio Authority box with a XRGB2+ as well, like I am, then it's an absolute no brainer, but if you are "only" going to be using it for the Dreamcast, then it's worth it if you get the Audio Authority box for a really cheap price. I paid $100 snaps for my Audio Authority box, and while it's worth every single penny for it's use with the XRGB2+, I'm not a huge Dreamcast guy and I wouldn't pay anywhere near that amount just for the Dreamcast.

[Austin]

Yeah, if you use your DC a lot, then it's definitely worth it. The difference in visuals that component gave my dreamcast was much more noticeable than with any of my other systems, in my opinion.

[dj898]

the question is whether you like your DC enough to justify $100+ price tag for the YUV transcoder... 8-)

[slip81]

I don't know much about the max resolution output for the DC, or the type of tv you have, but I would suggest that if you don't have a completely crappy monitor or and HDTV, then you'd probably get better visuals just by using the VGA box to hook the DC up to a computer monitor, since they in most cases support higher resolutions than any tv.

Though if the DC can't do anything better than 480p you might as well just hook it up to your tv set. If your're big into DC and you have HD stuff it is worth it to upgrade. Even with S-Video thre is a big difference when hooked up to a high def source (every now and then I hook up mine through s-video to my 20" widescreen monitor running at 1680x1050 and it looks great, can't imagine how it would be with the VGA box).

[c0ldb33r]

I would suggest just getting a VGA box for the Dreamcast.

I've got the Naki brand Dreamcast VGA box, it's got outputs for VGA, S-Video, and plain A/V cables. Playing Dreamcast via VGA is amazing. Everything is so crisp! Soul Calibur looks absolutely amazing! The only downside is that there's a handful of DC games that don't support the VGA box (most notable is Gunbird 2 - one of my favorites).

In the end though, even a third party VGA box looks absolutely stunning, and aren't too expensive if you look around. Let us know how you make out.

edit: I don't have an HDTV myself, but my father-in-law does, and I know it has a VGA input on it. I wonder what it would look like plugging the DC into the HDTV using VGA.

[djbeatmongrel]

hmm ok.

i was thinking about just getting this vga adapter (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Dreamcast-VGA-Cable-VGA-Box_W0QQitemZ190005022075QQihZ009QQcategoryZ41053Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

with one of these vga to component cords (http://www.national-tech.com/catalog/vgatorcacomponentvideocable.htm)

and it looks like ith the adapter i'll need a 1/8" stereo jack to stereo rca.

i think that would be a feasible solution for me.

[heyricochet]

Is there any real conversion in the VGA to component? or is it just mapping pins to the component cables?

[LucidDefender]

hmm ok.

i was thinking about just getting this vga adapter (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Dreamcast-VGA-Cable-VGA-Box_W0QQitemZ190005022075QQihZ009QQcategoryZ41053Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

with one of these vga to component cords (http://www.national-tech.com/catalog/vgatorcacomponentvideocable.htm)

and it looks like ith the adapter i'll need a 1/8" stereo jack to stereo rca.

i think that would be a feasible solution for me.

Those cables won't work. You need a transcoder to transcode the VGA signal to a signal a TV can understand(Component).

[dj898]

which is why I said you need to fork out $100+ for the transcoder...

[djbeatmongrel]

damn, well i think i'll do that far in te future. just got my s vid cables today and it looks great enough for now. thanks for the help

[CosmicMonkey]

Isn't there a single model of TV in the USA that has RGB or what? Either Japanese 21pin, Scart or seperate R, G, B inputs?

Why do you guys have to mess around with video encoders and S-video? How is it Japan and Europe have RGB Scart as near-enough standard, and America never go it? Very, very confusing.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Isn't there a single model of TV in the USA that has RGB or what? Either Japanese 21pin, Scart or seperate R, G, B inputs?

Why do you guys have to mess around with video encoders and S-video? How is it Japan and Europe have RGB Scart as near-enough standard, and America never go it? Very, very confusing.
Other than Commodore and old MultiSync computer monitors, only higher end commercial video monitors have RGB in the US (usually with separate RGB inputs, either RCA or BNC connectors). There's some very nice ones if you go that route, but few people do since they don't sell that stuff at normal electronics stores. There's probbaly also a limited number of TVs imported from Europe with SCART connectors, which would be good too since most nicer TVs over there seem to do both PAL and NTSC, but again, those aren't very widely available. What is widely available and would have solved djbeatmongrel's needs is a TV with VGA inputs. It seems to me that at least half of TVs that can do progressive scan, do have VGA ins. That's certainly what I'll be getting when I get a TV, perfect for Dreamcast and I also plan on setting up a PC strictly for emulation and a few PC games, it'll have a nice arcade frontend instead of Windows and stay plugged into my TV.

RGB isn't common in Japan, either, by the way. The SCART looking connector that's wired differently and which everyone calls "Japanese RGB" is actually pretty obscure from what I can tell. I think maybe it was introduced as a standard in the early or mid '90s, but never caught on. Apparently no TVs sold in Japan today have that connector. The only equipment it's still found on are the Micomsoft XRGB upscan converters, which are the only reason why anyone talks about a "Japanese RGB" standard anymore.


...word is bondage...

[The Manimal]

I wonder what it would look like plugging the DC into the HDTV using VGA.

I got a 15-pin VGA cable in the mail today. I am going to use this to connect my VGA box up to my HDTV in the next day or two. If interested, can post pics. However, I don't have very many games to begin with.

[The Manimal]

Here's photos of NFL 2K2 and WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 2K2 on Dreamcast running to the VGA input on a 1080p DLP set via Hais VGA Box and generic 15-pin VGA cable..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/64c73c2e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/35b510ba.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/7acfbe88.jpg

[Anthony1]

which is why I said you need to fork out $100+ for the transcoder...


Are you talking about an internal DC mod for 480p component?


I wouldn't do an internal mod if I didn't have to. Just get a "real" DC vga box and get the Audio Authority 9A60. That is the exact combo I have, and it works perfectly. Plus, if you have other devices with a VGA out, like a RCA-DTC 100 HDTV box, or a XRGB2+ or whatever, then you can use a little 2 switch A,B switchbox with the 9A60 as well, and take even more advantage of it. Plus, it has value to be sold later on, seperately for good $$$. Not that an internally modded DC with 480p component wouldn't fetch a tidy sum too. Still, if you don't need to do an internal mod, then why go through the trouble?

Also, if anybody ends up buying a 9A60, I got mine for $105 shipped, so if you want one of those, be sure to at least get it for $105 shipped or less. I've seen used ones sell on Ebay for as low as $73, but they don't show up that often.

[Anthony1]

Here's photos of NFL 2K2 and WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 2K2 on Dreamcast running to the VGA input on a 1080p DLP set via Hais VGA Box and generic 15-pin VGA cable..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/64c73c2e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/35b510ba.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/7acfbe88.jpg



Wow, that's a nice Samsung HDTV right there. Have you tried running it in one of the various stretch modes? I know that it's a distorted image, but for some weird reason I prefer it over black side bars or even worse grey side bars. (my set actually has the dreaded grey ones!) It takes awhile to get used to watching 4:3 material stretched to 16:9, but most new TV's offer several modes in which to do it, and they've actually found a way to make it look halfway decent. The distortion to me, isn't as significant as the distraction from the side grey bars. For some reason I want to use my entire screen, even if it isn't the right format. Which is why I prefer to use 4:3 monitors for any games that have a 4:3 ratio originally.

[dj898]

which is why I said you need to fork out $100+ for the transcoder...


Are you talking about an internal DC mod for 480p component?



I'm talking about the off the shelf transcoder unit itself.
You can get one of these but they are rather pricy though...

Sure you could build one but by the time you are all done it'd be cheaper and less hassle to buy one unless you enjoy the trouble to build one. :D

[The Manimal]

Wow, that's a nice Samsung HDTV right there. Have you tried running it in one of the various stretch modes? I know that it's a distorted image, but for some weird reason I prefer it over black side bars or even worse grey side bars. (my set actually has the dreaded grey ones!) It takes awhile to get used to watching 4:3 material stretched to 16:9, but most new TV's offer several modes in which to do it, and they've actually found a way to make it look halfway decent. The distortion to me, isn't as significant as the distraction from the side grey bars. For some reason I want to use my entire screen, even if it isn't the right format. Which is why I prefer to use 4:3 monitors for any games that have a 4:3 ratio originally.

Grey bars (I've seen them on some Plasma and CRT sets) are annoying, but black side bars don't bother me. I'd rather view things in OAR. The bezel of the set is black and it seems to blend in with the side bars.

[Anthony1]

Grey bars (I've seen them on some Plasma and CRT sets) are annoying, but black side bars don't bother me. I'd rather view things in OAR. The bezel of the set is black and it seems to blend in with the side bars.



Yeah, it doesn't look that bad on yours, but still, it's hard not to notice the unused extra screen real estate. You should try playing around with stretch modes. I use a mode called "full" and it seems to work very well. The distortion isn't as bad as you would think. The one game that doesn't work very good in stretch mode are vertical shooters. Horizontal shooters look even better, but vertical shooters don't look so hot. Of course, if the vertical shooter has a tate mode, you can select that, and then pretend you are playing a horizontal shooter, and that is actually pretty damn cool if you can deal with the controls.




Anyways, back to the streched issue. Here is my Genesis with a S-Video mod hooked up to my Sony 51 inch widescreen. This is Sonic 1 in stretch mode:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/Anthony1fromDP/Picture114.jpg



And here is Sonic 1 in OAR, except with the dreaded grey bars on the sides:


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/Anthony1fromDP/Picture115.jpg




Now, that white band of light that you see 3/4's up, accros the middle of the screen, that's something from my camera, cause the image looks beautiful in real life. But I must say that the grey bars are way more distracting to me, than the minor distortion. Even if they were black bars it would be distracting to me. Only way I could be cool with it, is if I made some type of curtain type thing to cover up everything but the 4:3 area being used. But that isn't worth the drama, so with this particular TV, I actually prefer to view old school games stretched out. Certainly, for certain games, it's worse than others, but again, it's something you get get used to relatively quickly.

[The Manimal]

What's your set (brand, technology, etc)?

My only complaint wth my set is that I see "rainbows" - but fortunately, they don't cause eyestrain or give me headaches. I seem to be able to live with them without destroying my enjoyment of the set. There is slight geometry problems, but better than a lot of the same set. I believe the amount of pincushion on the set (judging from the 4:3 bars) is rather mild. I've seen MUCH worse. This set has a "Game Mode" to get rid of lag (doesn't work with VGA input which doesn't lag anyways) but it makes the PQ look worse. I end up cranking the sharpness as the "Game Mode" on the set makes things blurrier. But I still haven't figured out how to make the colors look better in that mode. Things look great without it on, but it would affect things like kicking meters in football games. I can play Punch-Out with no problem, but a kicking meter is *just* off.

[The Manimal]

in the dark at a weird angle...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/mm3.jpg

[c0ldb33r]

Here's photos of NFL 2K2 and WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 2K2 on Dreamcast running to the VGA input on a 1080p DLP set via Hais VGA Box and generic 15-pin VGA cable..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/64c73c2e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/35b510ba.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/headlesscross/7acfbe88.jpg

Wow nice! I'm impressed :D Can't wait to get an HDTV myself :)

Thanks for the pics.

[idrougge]

[quote=The Manimal]
Anyways, back to the streched issue. Here is my Genesis with a S-Video mod hooked up to my Sony 51 inch widescreen. This is Sonic 1 in stretch mode:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/Anthony1fromDP/Picture114.jpg

Looks normal to someone who has played Sonic in PAL all his life.

[Anthony1]

What's your set (brand, technology, etc)


It's a Sony KP-51HW40. It's a 51 inch widescreen HDTV, CRT rear projection from a few years back. When I first got it, back in like 2003, I thought it was pretty damn decent, but compared to the latest and greatest out now, it's pretty crappy.


The biggest downside is no HDMI or DVI and the fact that it takes a 720p signal and downconverts to 480p. It does fine with 1080i signals, but I hate the fact that it downconverts 720p. Of course if I'm going to use the Xbox 360 on it or something, I just change the 360's setting to 1080i and it's fine.

The other huge downside is the fact that my too little boys have scratched the hell out of the plastic screen protector thing.

[The Manimal]

You should get a video processor which converts 720p to 1080i...That way you can work around that limitation by your set. Anything CRT is being phased out unfortunately... I still think the best PQ of all comes from CRT sets.